by Bermie Dizon
These past weeks, my heart has been heavy. The headlines are filled with violence, assassinations, wars, corruption, bombings, and shootings. It is not just here in America—it is everywhere.
Even back in the Philippines, the land I came from, corruption is so rampant that billions meant for flood control projects and basic services are stolen by politicians and their cohorts.
Sometimes I don’t even know what to say when a friend on social media asks for my thoughts. I don’t want to argue or add to the noise.
But when I pray, I can’t help but cry out: “Lord, why is this happening?”
The Bible gives us a way to bring our pain to God: lament—pouring out our hearts honestly before Him. The psalmist cried, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1).
Jeremiah wept over Jerusalem’s ruins. And Jesus Himself wept over the city, longing to gather His people though they rejected Him (Matthew 23:37).
Lament is not hopelessness. It is an act of faith. It is trusting that God hears us, even when our words are soaked with tears.
We weep over the violence that scars nations. We grieve the fear that stalks children in their schools. We mourn the hatred that hardens hearts and kills compassion.
We cry out at how easily we turn against each other over politics or opinion—forgetting that every person carries the image of God.
In our lament, we also pray for our leaders—for presidents and prime ministers, senators and judges, governors and village officials. Because the real problem runs deeper than politics—it is spiritual.
A heart far from God becomes selfish, violent, and corrupt. We pray that God would grant our leaders wisdom that is godly, not self-serving.
May He teach them humility and compassion, so they will care for all people—even their enemies. Scripture urges us to pray for “kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). How much more do we need this prayer today.
But even in sorrow, hope breaks through. Jesus Himself wept. He endured the cruelty of violence, nailed to a cross by human hands.
Yet the cross was not the end. Jesus rose again, and in His resurrection, God declared that hatred, violence, and death will never have the final word.
Still, we must guard our own hearts. If we only feed on outrage, bitterness will consume us. Anger alone cannot make us more like Christ.
But when we bring our sorrow to Him, He gives us something greater—His peace that passes all understanding. His Spirit softens us, shaping us into peacemakers.
Following Jesus is not easy. He said His disciples would be known not for power or position, but for love—even love for enemies: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
That feels impossible sometimes. Yet it is the way of Christ—the way that turns grief into grace, sorrow into joy, and hatred into love.
So we pray, “Lord, this is too heavy for us. We give it to You.”
And as our tears fall, we lift our eyes to Jesus. He alone can heal what is shattered.
May our weeping not end in despair but lead us deeper into His peace, His love, and His light in a world that so desperately needs it.
BERMIE DIZON is a retired pastor of Grace Communion International (GCI), Glendora, CA and a former writer for USA Tribune for nine years. He is also the author of the book “God, In Every Step” which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other outlets.
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